New Delhi: We are what we eat. These words of wisdom often serve as a guide for us to eat well and live a healthy lifestyle. However, recent news about carcinogens being mixed into food and spices has certainly raised eyebrows and raised concerns about what is safe to eat.
This may come as a sudden shock to many of us, but the European Union (EU) warned us about this beforehand. According to reports, from 2019 to 2024, more than 400 high-quality export products from India have been flagged by the EU as highly contaminated.
According to a report published by Deccan Herald with a PDF list of 400 Indian food items, 14 of them are known to damage various organs and contain dangerous elements such as mercury and cadmium, which are especially found in fish. It is said that
The report found that up to 21 products, including octopus and squid, contained cadmium. Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that poses serious health risks when ingested or inhaled. Increased risk of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. When it accumulates in the body, it can cause kidney damage, bone loss, respiratory problems, and cardiovascular problems. Long-term exposure to cadmium is associated with an increased risk of cancer, especially lung cancer, and can impair overall health and well-being.
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The report also states that at least 59 products contain pesticides that are considered carcinogenic. Among the chemicals found in rice, herbs, and spices is tricyclazole, a fungicide that is banned in the EU because it is carcinogenic and genotoxic. Separately, more than 52 products contain multiple insecticides or fungicides, with some containing as many as five different insecticides or fungicides.
A PDF report shared by the Deccan Herald report states that around 20 products contained 2-chloroethanol, a toxic by-product of ethylene oxide. “Ochratoxin A, a banned mycotoxin, has been detected in 10 products including chili peppers, coffee, and rice,” the statement said.
The report also said salmonella was detected in organic shatavari, ashwagandha and sesame seeds among 100 other products.
The report also notes that peanut grains and nut crackers contain aflatoxin, a toxic carcinogen and mutagen that can cause liver damage and cancer.
The report also states that rice flour contains chlorpyrifos. The same data shows that moringa leaves and pods contain monocrotophos and imidacloprid. For those who aren't familiar, monocrotophos is an organophosphate insecticide, a type of insecticide. These types of pesticides are known as neurotoxins and affect the function of neurons in the body.
Coriander seed powder has been found to contain chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate insecticide, acaricide, and acaricide used primarily to control leaf- and soil-borne pests. It is associated with negative health effects, including neurodevelopmental disorders, respiratory diseases, and adverse reproductive health effects in children. Chronic exposure can cause long-term health complications, raising concerns and calling for regulatory action. Vibrio vulnificus was found in the tails of peeled frozen raw shrimp, a bacterium that can cause sepsis, severe wound infections, and gastroenteritis. And if this infection is not recognized and treated promptly, it is said to lead to high morbidity and mortality.
What do you think about this report and its findings? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Published May 12, 2024 4:39 PM IST
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